Paige Cognetti's Double Duty: A Closer Look at Her Political Moves

Paige Cognetti, the mayor of Scranton, is making waves with her decision to run for Congress while still in office. This move has sparked a lot of debate and criticism from both the public and other politicians. Some people are questioning her priorities and whether she's more focused on climbing the political ladder than serving her current community. In the recent mayoral election, Cognetti's victory margin was narrower than before, which some see as a sign that her support is waning. This has led to accusations that she's using her mayoral position as a safety net while aiming for a higher office. Independent candidate Gene Barrett and former Democratic rival Bob Sheridan have both expressed their disapproval, arguing that it's not fair to the voters. Adding to the controversy, Cognetti's personnel decisions have come under scrutiny. She appointed Michael Villa to the city's Human Relations Commission despite his ongoing DUI case. Villa's subsequent arrests for various offenses, including a recent incident that led to a school lockdown, have raised eyebrows. Critics argue that Cognetti should have removed him sooner and that her delay in acting was a serious oversight. Another hot topic is Cognetti's role in blocking the expansion of Scranton's Geisinger Community Medical Center. Initially, she supported the project to ease overcrowding in the emergency room, but she later signed a zoning ordinance that limited the height of new hospital structures. This decision led to the cancellation of the expansion, which has put a strain on the local healthcare system. Cognetti's recent personal and political missteps have also gained attention. A video of her using her phone during a Veterans Day ceremony went viral, drawing comparisons to President Biden's controversial behavior at a military funeral. Additionally, a resurfaced photo of her in University of Oregon attire has been used to portray her as out of touch with Pennsylvania values. Reports of her breaking a no-tax-hike pledge and her ties to out-of-state progressive operatives have further fueled the criticism.